Raila to Accompany President Uhuru to China to Secure Sh368 Billion SGR Loan

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has announced he will be part of a Kenyan delegation that will travel to China next week to seek funds for Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extension to Kisumu.

The entourage to Beijing will be led by President Kenyatta and other top government officials.

The team will be seeking to secure a Sh368 billion loan for the construction of phase 2b of the SGR line between Naivasha and Kisumu. 

"I will be part of the delegation that will accompany the President to the Asian country next week. The new SGR line will extend from Naivasha to Narok, Bomet, Sondu and finally Kisumu," Raila has said when addressing a rally at Sondu market in Kisumu on Saturday.

The delegation will also include officials drawn from Treasury, Kenya Railways Corporation, the Transport Ministry and the State Law Office.

Odinga, who now serves as the African Union's High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa, says the SGR will have a huge economic impact on the lakeside city.

"We are going to establish a special economic zone in Kisumu and make the city the hub of East Africa," says Odinga.